Public Works: Do Not Push Shoveled Snow Into The Street

The Village of Orland Park Public Works Department is cautioning residents about the hazards of pushing shoveled snow into the street.

"Orland Park's snow plows are like those that other northern Illinois agencies use to clear streets," explained Director of Public Works Ed Wilmes. "The snow is discharged to the right, resulting in a ‘wind row' at the edge of the street where the snow is discharged from the plow," he said.

Shoveling homeowners are asked to not shovel or blow the wind row or other snow at the end of the driveway back into the street.

During the last few snow events in Orland Park, plowing crews have discovered a number of homes where the snow has been pushed back into the street.

"This snow then becomes packed down and freezes, creating an unnecessary hazard within a residential area," Wilmes explained.

Residents should shovel or blow the snow from the end of the driveway onto the parkways next to the drives, paying attention to keep deep accumulations away from pedestrian areas and sidewalks.

Each year, the Orland Park Public Works Department releases its Top Ten List of Snow Tips for village residents.

"We've put together our own top ten list to let Orland Park residents know what they can do to help us when it snows," Wilmes said.

"The most important thing we ask is that residents be patient. All of the streets in the village will be cleared in as short a time as possible, as the storm allows," the director added.

Orland Park's snow removal crews plow and salt more than 250 miles of roads throughout the village. The fleet includes twenty-four village owned trucks plowing and salting pre-designated routes. Private contractors are called in to plow when more than two to three inches of snow fall. Staff from the village's Parks Department plow and shovel village owned properties and provide back-up for Public Works crews.

An integral part of combatting a snowstorm is street salting. In Orland Park, first priority is given to the main streets, those with heaviest year round traffic, followed by secondary thoroughfares and cul-de-sacs. Orland Park is able to store more than 3500 tons of salt under a protective cover throughout the year.

ORLAND PARK'S TOP TEN SNOW TIPS
1. Village ordinance prohibits parking on village streets once two inches of snow has fallen.
2. Parked vehicles must be kept off of the streets for ten hours after it has stopped snowing.
3. When clearing the driveway, residents should place snow on either side of the driveway---on the lawn---and never in the street.
4. Residents should keep garbage cans and recycle bins from rolling into the street on garbage pick up day.
5. Designate curbs with five free stakes available from the Public Works Department.
6. Digging from the street, clear out hydrants so that fire personnel can easily access them if necessary.
7. Do not clear your driveway at the curbline until the snowplow driver has made his last curb pass in front of your residence.
8. Be patient. Every storm is different with many variables. Streets may have to be plowed more than once.
9. Communicate with the Public Works Department. Report any ice formations on the street so that they can be salted. Clear the snow from storm sewers in front of your home so melting snow can easily drain, preventing ice patches.
10. Mailboxes should be kept in good repair and be placed at least one foot behind the curb to avoid damage. It is the residents' responsibility to clear a safe path around mailboxes to ensure delivery. Homeowners' associations are responsible for clearing the area around cluster mailboxes.

"Public Works personnel are hard working, dedicated people who take great pride in the work that they do. These village employees strive to make the streets as safe as possible for the motoring public," Wilmes said.

While all of the snow tips are important for an effective removal campaign, Wilmes noted, "One of the biggest problems our drivers face is the number of vehicles that are parked on the street after two inches of snow has fallen."

"We ask all residents if they know that a snow storm is coming, to move parked vehicles off of the street. This will allow snow crews to complete the plowing faster, safer and in a more efficient manner," he said.

Further information about Orland Park's Snow Removal Program is available by calling the village's Public Works Department at 708/403-6350.